In our 70th episode, the topic is mediation, not meditation, but mediation. Yeah, I had to look it up, too. Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0070.mp3 | Continue reading
In our 69th episode, the topic is zombies in the context of The Last of Us and the entire zombie genre. BraaAAaaaaaaaaiAAains. Only 30 episodes left, people. Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/ra … | Continue reading
In our 68th episode, Lopp and Lyle discuss Lyle’s performance in a horror movie as well as the role of the producer in different industries. Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantt … | Continue reading
In our 67th episode, the topic is Performance Reviews and how you build yourself by building others. Oh yeah, we talked about ChatGPT, too. Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantt … | Continue reading
In our 66th episode, the topic is Mastodon and how quickly and efficiently it has replaced our Twitter use cases. Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0066.mp3 | Continue reading
In our 65th episode, the topic is bags and how much optionality you require of your bag. Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0065.mp3 | Continue reading
In our 64th episode, we discuss proactive things you can do when the sky is falling. Also, we drink wine. Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0064.mp3 | Continue reading
The Worry Police worry. During their career, the Worry Police were rewarded amply for their worrying, so they believe it’s their move. It makes them feel important. Worrying. The Worry Police have real power; they are the police. This power was granted to them because sometimes, … | Continue reading
This was the second time we’d heard Audrey play her cello in Soho Square. She found a bench and just started playing. We learned about the first session days after it happened and begged her to give us a warning next time, but her small smile silently said no. We mobilized. Her r … | Continue reading
I am DONE with this task. I finished. Good job. Victory. Next.I am STILL THINKING about this task. I might need more time to complete it or be thinking about an appropriate approach. Going to just leave it here for now, but I will make a choice regarding this task (and all tasks) … | Continue reading
I’ve received some of the best advice from folks I’m trying to forget. It’s usually past mediocre managers. Average folks doing the job, but in an uninspired fashion, in over their heads, or just coasting for reasons I never understood. Every so often. They land an idea. Maybe I … | Continue reading
Our 63rd episode isn’t really about vigilantism but more about holding grudges. Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0063.mp3 | Continue reading
As a Henry Cavill super fan, I was extra crushed when I read that reports of his return to the role of Superman were no longer true. After much consideration, I am here to tell you why this is good news.But let's start with the bad news.The DC Movie Universe is Garbage Fire Prese … | Continue reading
First Circle: THE SLOPPY AND THE UNPREPARED Meetings start late and run over. Attendees have not read the pre-supplied material, so we spend most of the time answering questions we had already answered elsewhere. Second Circle: THE DISTRACTED Meetings where attendees are not payi … | Continue reading
AirPods Pro. First, I told myself I’d only include one Apple product on this list, and this is it. Here’s how to sell this product to your friends. First, show them how to properly insert them in their ears (many folks do this incorrectly) and then have them turn on noise cancell … | Continue reading
The almost immediate challenge with the introduction of the Internet presented was, “How do I find X?” Now, the actual first challenge was, “I wonder if X exists in this new world,” but that’s still “How do I find X?” This quest made search services the killer app of the Internet … | Continue reading
The Rands “R” started many years ago as this: I’ve been toying with branding, design, color, and other marketing elements for the site for years. I remember spending a couple of weekends trying to get a good picture of the weave of my favorite beanie as background for the site. T … | Continue reading
Level 1: Not busy My schedule is wide open. I can choose infinite paths. Zero commitments. The weekend. I sleep like a baby. Life is good, but am I living my best life? Level 2: Stuff to do I have a few commitments wandering around my brain. They are reasonable, knowable, and not … | Continue reading
I’m rewriting The Business for the next book. This piece is almost 15 years old, much has changed in negotiating an offer letter, and I have more advice on how to analyze those offers. So much advice that I am idea paralyzed™ trying to rewrite this piece. So, this is just a secti … | Continue reading
Our 62nd episode is a little all over the place, but it works. Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0062.mp3 | Continue reading
Our 61st episode discusses privacy on the Internet: why we need more education, how much your data is worth, and what parts of privacy need to change. Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/th … | Continue reading
In our 60th episode, we talk about the ins and outs of jury duty. Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0060.mp3 | Continue reading
In our 59th episode, we discuss why when you need to use the mice, there is a good chance you are failing. Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0059.mp3 | Continue reading
For this piece, I am going to simplify management a bit. Let us assume there are three different hats you wear as a manager. They are: the Leader, the Fixer, and the Coach. I will briefly each role and then explain how I’ve screwed up each. I’m going in reverse order because I’m … | Continue reading
Our 58th episode discusses the importance of numbers and their value in remembering things. It’s better than it reads. Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0058.mp3 | Continue reading
In our 57th episode, we talk about how editing makes everything better. Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0057.mp3 | Continue reading
In our 56th episode, we talk about Lyle’s recent month of podcasting adventures. Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0056.mp3 | Continue reading
Elden Ring, developed by FromSoftware, wants you rage quit the game. This is an undocumented feature of the game. You’re introduced to this feature promptly. After choosing your character, you’re plopped into a castle wondering Why is there no onboarding training? You walk throug … | Continue reading
Frequently, I get a direct message from a community member on the Rands Leadership Slack pointing out a broken link on this weblog. I am happy to fix the link. I am not happy to reread what I wrote fourteen years ago because much of the early writing is… just awful. Unbearable, p … | Continue reading
In our 55th episode, we return to familiar territory with special guest John Siracusa. The topic? Destiny 2 and why many, many years again, we continue to play every single day. Interested in our Destiny Slack? Figure out how to mail me, and I’ll send you an invite. Enjoy it now … | Continue reading
In our 54th episode, we revisit the familiar theme of productivity and how we swear… this time… we figured it out! Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0054.mp3 | Continue reading
I am a short-form writer. A thousand words or so. Sometimes more, often less. I like to think I like tight prose and succinct thoughts, but I also know I’m impatient and have a short attention span. Over the years, familiar article structures and narrative flows have repeatedly c … | Continue reading
First start-up. We’re between Layoff #2 and Layoff #3. There’s a new VP of Engineering running the show and while he’s been hired with the guidance to “turn the ship around,” the tech economy is a wreck and his first official act is throwing passengers overboard so we don’t sink. … | Continue reading
In our 53rd episode, we revisit the prior 52 episodes and talk about what we’ve learned. Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0053.mp3 | Continue reading
In our 52nd episode, we discuss the question, “Can you effectively manage people doing jobs you don’t understand?” Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0052.mp3 | Continue reading
Each Slack team I’m on has a different set of humans building their own unique communication culture. I’m actively on six teams: Work, Leadership, Destiny, two private nerd Slacks, and a private family Slack. Three out of my six teams have 100+ active humans, 100+ channels, and a … | Continue reading
In our 51st episode, we discuss the importance of names… and pronouncing them. Enjoy it now or download for later. Here’s a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes. https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0051.mp3 | Continue reading
When it was five of you sitting in the same room, it was easy. When someone needed to know something, they stood up in the middle of the room and asked, "Who broke the build?" When a decision needed to be made, you looked up at Phil and said, "Phil, this needs to scale from day o … | Continue reading
Who is this?Princess Leia, right? End of Rogue One. Wrong, this is not Princess Leia. This is.A photograph of Carrie Fisher in her role of Princess Leia. Chances are, your brain can tell the difference between the two photos. The first is a computer generated image ("CGI") and th … | Continue reading
50 episodes later, we're talking about the clothes on the floor.Enjoy it now or download for later. Here's a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes.https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0050.mp3 | Continue reading
In the rainy 49th episode, we discuss the weather and weather-related detritus. Enjoy it now or download for later. Here's a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes.https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0049.mp3 | Continue reading
In our 48th episode, we review the rich landscape of awesome media we're currently consuming. Totally no spoilers. We swear.Enjoy it now or download for later. Here's a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes.https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthing0048.mp3 | Continue reading
In our 47th episode, we get stuck in a place of talking about doing things. Seems like a good episode to land at the beginning of the year.Enjoy it now or download for later. Here's a handy feed or subscribe via Overcast or iTunes.https://traffic.libsyn.com/rands/theimportantthin … | Continue reading
The first book I purchased for myself. When I understood the science fiction genre. Getting beat up as a kid and how the marbles helped. My favorite pen. When I learned why typography mattered. Why I care about bears so much. Why Tribeca matters to me.When I was a kid, I had nigh … | Continue reading
Just in time for Christmas, I’m happy to announce the 4th Edition of Managing Humans. It appears that four years is the sweet spot for new editions of this book.The process of getting this edition out the door was the least painful of the four unless you factor in, ya’know, the p … | Continue reading
Welcome back. In our 46th episode, we're talking about the new shelves in the cave. They're big. Like huge. It's so good to be talking with you all again. Spend time with Lyle and Lopp talking about important things.Enjoy it now or download for later. Here's a handy feed or subsc … | Continue reading
Business is noisy.Business is full of people worrying loudly about projects, process, and other people. These people have opinions and they share them all over the place -- all the time. This collective chatter is part of the daily regimen of a healthy business, but this chatter … | Continue reading
Coming to the end of another complicated year. Each time I think we’re getting back to normal, something else horrible goes sideways. It’s wearing us all down.Over at the Rands Leadership Slack, we do an annual donation program where we ask those who are finding value in the comm … | Continue reading